An Introspective Home in Melbourne Offers Garden Views at Every Turn

Bourne Road Residence’s fresh white palette merges indoor calm with outdoor greenery.

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In the Melbourne neighborhood of Glen Iris, a leafy suburb punctuated with heritage homes, Bourne Road Residence by Studiofour is a crisp, modern dwelling whose simple design is all about helping a young couple and their two children connect with nature.

Photo: Shannon McGrath

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The architecture frames the outdoor space and acts as a mere "backdrop for the family’s engagement with the garden," explains Studiofour director Annabelle Berryman. "Stripping the architectural language back to white rendered planes, this project became an exploration into enclosing the basic rituals of domestic life within restrained building forms."

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Carl Hansen & Søn Wishbone Chair

Using the best natural materials and refined steam-bent methods, Wishbone is made to last for generations. In 1944, Hans Wegner began a series of chairs that were inspired by portraits of Danish merchants sitting in Ming Chairs. One of these chairs was the Wishbone Chair (1949), also known as the “Y” or “CH-24,” which has been produced by the Danish firm Carl Hansen & Søn since 1950. The son of a shoemaker, Wegner was trained as a cabinetmaker before attending the School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen, after which he began his career as an architect. Just three years later, Wegner started his own design office, and his work soon caught the eye of Carl Hansen. The Wishbone Chair fit what the Hansen company was looking for to supplement the heavier forms popular at the time. Made in Denmark.

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ZZ Plant, Teak Wood Pot

Easy to care for with glossy, green leaves, the ZZ plant flourishes in almost any environment. This indoor beauty arrives ready to display in a teak wood pot. Photo Courtesy of Terrain

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Farmhouse Pottery Handcrafted Wood Bowls

Statement salads inquire within. These statement wooden bowls in a variety of versatile sizes are each hand carved from New England ash wood and finished with a food safe teak oil. We love the smaller bowls for party-sized dips and spreads, while the larger ones make pretty work out of farmer’s market salads, a dozen eggs, or a big pile of gorgeous, seasonal fruit. If you want to go whole hog on the rustic thing, they match perfectly with our Handcrafted Wood Serving Set. Made in: Woodstock, Vermont Made of: American crafted ash wood and food safe tinted teak oil.Size: 9" is 9" in diameter x 2.5" H, 12" is 12" in diameter x 4" H, 15" is 15" in diameter x 5" H, 17" is 17" in diameter x 6" H Sourced from: Farmhouse Pottery Photography by Rocky Luten.

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Photo: Shannon McGrath

Studiofour’s minimal approach has created a calm sanctuary wherein the parents’ wing is separated from the second-floor play space for the kids. The rest of the home, which is open, encourages family togetherness and foregrounds an indoor/outdoor experience.

Photo: Shannon McGrath

By breaking up the front, north-facing facade, the architects allowed natural light to flood the interior; generous windows create view corridors that allows the family to glimpse greenery from every view. A walled pool and garden area makes the residence feel extremely private despite its location on a busy street.

Photo: Shannon McGrath

Studiofour also limited VOCs, minimized exposure to allergens, and prioritized light and cross ventilation to yield a tranquil, airy home.

More by Studiofour:

Before & After: A Fussy ’70s Abode in Melbourne Gets a Hygge-Inspired Overhaul

A Concrete House Is Softened by an Airy Internal Courtyard, Complete With an Olive Grove

A Contemplative Melbourne Home Wraps Around a Garden

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Studiofour / @studiofour.net.au

Builder/General Contractor: M2 Homes

Structural Engineer: Webb Consulting / @webbaustralia

Building Surveyor: Reddo Building Surveyors

Interior Designer: Studiofour